New milling technology in other areas led to improved, less expensive flour being produced in other areas, which along with the improved transport via the railway meant that Armidale was no longer dependent local production (Godwin 1983). Millers in Armidale were unable to afford this new technology as the population of Armidale was too small to justify the expense (Godwin 1983). This lead to the demise of the milling industry in Armidale.